Seat

ABSTRACT

It is a seat that basically consists of a structural cover that is split into compartments that, in the specific case of a sofa, has different cavities for the backrest, seat, armrest and other parts of the sofa, in such a way that bags filled with a lightweight material can be fitted into and adjusted inside these cavities, so that these bags are really the elements that serve to reinforce the sofa as a whole, thus obtaining a low-cost and lightweight product that is easy to transport because of its slight volume as a result of it being possible to dismantle it before transporting it, which sets it apart from most conventional sofas, which have to be moved in their completely assembled form. 
     The bags can be composed of a single compartment or several, in which case each compartment may in turn be filled with different materials in order to obtain different degrees of flexibility.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As is described in this report, this invention is a seat whosedistinctive feature is that there is no internal rigid structure toserve as a support for the seat, although this in no way detracts fromthe required convenience and comfort of the piece of furniture inquestion.

Furthermore, it performs the same functions and has the samecharacteristics as a conventional seat with a rigid structure andsupport, albeit with the advantage of its being a lightweight seat thatis also cheaper and more ecologically friendly than conventional seats.

It must also be pointed out that it is easy and cheap to move it fromone place to another because of its volume and weight, as it can bedismantled for transportation purposes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In a preferred practical embodiment of the invention, that is to sayapplied to sofas and other items of furniture of a similar nature, theconventional technique consists of establishing an internal structurethat is rigid, generally made of wood, upon which the different partsand elements with a softening effect are assembled with a view toachieving the desired level of comfort.

The aforementioned types of seat are costly to produce, because of theircomplex structural nature, and they are also voluminous and heavy, whichhas a negative effect when it comes to storing or transporting them.

Other seats that do not have an internal structure have been developedin an attempt to get around the aforementioned problem, such as the onethat is described in Spanish Utility Model 154.644, which consists of aninflatable armchair that comprises a slid assembly that is made up ofseveral hollow bodies that are filled up with air under pressure.

It is clear that when a seat of this type is not inflated, it hardlytakes up any room and it weighs very little, which overcomes theabove-mentioned problems such as storage and transport. However, thebasic problem that affects these pneumatic seats revolves around thefact that they are unstable and become easily misshapen, which meansthat they can only be used as very small armchairs.

European patent 0 284 294 is a chair for geriatrics consisting of waterbags, which can logically be stored and transported easily when the bagsare empty and they weigh very little, but this is not the case withtheir volume, because a fixed structure is required to support the bags,and it must also be pointed out that the deformability of the bags isexcessive and that even though the chair might be suitable for solvingthe problems that are faced by certain senior citizens, this does notapply when it comes to a conventional seat.

Patent GB 1.300.733. is a cushion with one single conventional chamberthat can be stuffed with fillings of different kinds, to afforddifferent degrees of hardness, but it is clear that this cushionsolution cannot be applied directly to a sofa, for example, where therehave to be self-supporting elements that limit its deformability,especially where armrests and the backrest are concerned.

A mattress has also been developed bearing U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,666,based on a receptacle into which a variety of pads of different hardnessare inserted, so that the hardness throughout the entire mattress isideally suited to the different parts of the body that will be lying onthem, yet the functionality of this mattress lies in the fact that it issupported on a flat and rigid surface, so that if this technology wereto be applied to a sofa, it would have to be arranged in a rigidstructure, which as has already been pointed out is undesirable becauseof its weight and volume, among other negative factors.

Patent WO 9602402 describes a seat that has a rigid frame, referenced as(12)-(13), upon which two superimposed compartments are mounted that arefilled with fluid. This solution is along the structural lines ofEuropean Patent 0 284 294, so the same considerations made about thelatter are valid.

The applicant is unaware of any of the seats of the aforementionedtypes, which lack a rigid structure and that are neverthelesssufficiently substantial to conserve their essential shape, withdeformations that are similar to those that affect pieces of furniturewith rigid structures, without this detracting from maximum comfortwhere the users are concerned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The seat that is the object of the invention is mainly characterised bythe fact that it is equipped with a series of bags filled with asoftening material with different degrees of hardness and density, forexample of the perlite or granulated type, although any other productmight be suitable. Grains of the lightest types of material are normallyused that are easy to fill by pneumatic means, such as polymers,polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.

Each one of these bags containing the filler material forms part of theseat, in such a way that a sofa might have, for example, one bag foreach armrest, another one for the backrest, another one for thehorizontal part of the seat, etc, with the same density or differentdensities.

In accordance with the essence of the invention, the aim of theabove-mentioned bags is to fill up what could be referred to as thestructure of the sofa or seat in question, consisting of a flexiblecover that is split into compartments, preferably made of a textile orsomething similar, which on the one hand coincides in form and size withthe perimeter of the piece of furniture, and that on the other hand isequipped with inner partitions of the same type, which not only make thestructure of the cover rigid, but also serve as a housing for theaforementioned different bags or groups of bags, and each one of thecompartments has at least one intake equipped with means for closure,such as a zip, for example. It is thus possible to achieve a compactassembly by totally occupying the aforementioned compartments with thebags concerned, which serves to keep the shape of the sofa or piece offurniture in question perfectly stable, not only when empty but alsowhen in use, apart from the slight and specific deformations in thezones where the body is resting, similar to the small deformations,albeit temporary, to which a conventional sofa is subjected, because thepiece of furniture returns to its original shape as soon as it isunoccupied.

Normally, each segmented space will have an intake so that the bagsinside can be adjusted, although it is also possible that severalsegmented spaces might have one single intake when the individual spacein question is larger.

Another major characteristic of the invention is that each one of thebags has a substructure composed of intermediate partitions thatseparate different compartments, and give the bag its rigid nature,these partitions being provided with passages that connect up with theadjacent compartments, so that the filling process for thesecompartments takes place as swiftly and, above all, as correctly aspossible, without there being any risk of hollows or empty spaces.

In another embodiment, there could be bag compartments that areindependent, so that they can be filled with different materials andthus different densities, thereby obtaining different degrees ofhardness that can be adapted to the ergonomics of the seat and, all inall, greater comfort for the user. Where this embodiment is concerned,it is only to be expected that each compartment has its own intake,although it would also be possible for there to be one single communalintake, as long as one of the ends of the compartments leads to thiscommunal intake.

In another embodiment of the structure for the bags with special shapesand/or when they lack the required rigidity, it has been planned toincorporate independent rigid structures that will evidently be insertedthrough intakes in the bags so that they can be placed in the volumethat is taken up by the filling material, a sheeting element beingpositioned in between so that it can form part of the bag, therebymanaging to increase the consistency, solidity and rigidity of the bagsin a positive way, thus ensuring that the seat is likewise moreconsistent, solid and rigid in the zones where these bags are placed.

Another characteristic of the invention is that the bags are providedwith reinforcements at the edges in the places where these coincide withthe edges of the sofa, in such a way that this characteristic, togetherwith the insertion of intermediate partitions, makes the seat more rigidand solid, so that it does not flatten when the user sits down on it.The reinforcements can also be placed on the corners of the bags.

Therefore, once all the bags have been filled, they are inserted intothe covers, basically made of foam material, which eventually makes themlook like a traditional armchair. Finally, an outer cover is placed overthem to give them look appealing, and this cover may either be made ofleather, cloth or any other textile.

The following are just some of the advantages of the new seat that isthe object of the invention:

-   -   The material that is used makes it cheaper.    -   The seat weighs less.    -   It is more convenient to handle.    -   It is easier to transport.    -   The in situ manufacturing methods are ecologically friendly.    -   Different densities of the filling material can be used,        depending on the zone to be filled.    -   It is easy to store the seat without the filling.    -   It is easy to fill the seat in the shop itself.    -   It makes it easy to design the seat using only flexible        materials (textiles, canvas, foam, etc) that do not determine        its shape, in contrast to the conventional rigid structures that        are normally used.

The bags are normally made of textile materials and even those that arementioned above, although it is also possible to manufacture the bagsheat-sealable material, the different parts being joined together byheat-sealing, as well as the intakes. Even when this heat-sealablematerial is impermeable, it will contain micro-perforations to enablethe release of air while the bags are being filled, thereby preventingvacuums from forming and defects appearing in them.

In order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of theinvention, a set of drawings is accompanied as an integral part of thisdescription where for purposes of illustration and in a non-limitingmanner the following is represented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1.—This drawing shows a perspective view of the seat that is theobject of the invention. It basically consists of a cover that is splitinto compartments and some bags with a filling material that adapt tothe shape of the compartments inside the cover.

FIG. 2.—This drawing shows a perspective view of the lower surface ofthe structural cover split into compartments that basically shows someopen compartment spaces prepared to fit the respective bags with theirfilling.

FIG. 3.—This drawing shows a perspective view of a bag with the fillingmaterial, highlighting the reinforcements for the edges and corners.

FIG. 4.—This drawing shows a section view of the seat assembly clearlyshowing details of the different parts that form the seat, the parts inquestion in this case being for a sofa.

FIG. 5.—This drawing shows a perspective view of a bag split intocompartments.

FIG. 6.—This drawing shows a perspective view of a bag split intocompartments with a structure that is different from the one shown inthe preceding figure.

FIG. 7.—This drawing shows a perspective view of a bag into which arigid piece could be inserted to make the bag more solid and give itmore substance.

FIG. 8.—This drawing shows a perspective view of a section of a bag withthe rigid part incorporated.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Considering the numbering that is used in the figures, the seat isinitially composed of at least one flexible foam cover (1) that is splitinto compartments where several open cavities are defined (2) in whichthe respective bags (3) are adapted with a filling material (4), made ofperlite or other granulated materials, in such a way that as soon asthese bags (3) are inserted and adjusted within the cavities (4), theyare closed, thus forming and strengthening the seat assembly.

These cavities (2) are separated from each other by partitions that areinserted between them (5), which form part of the cover (1).

The edges of the bags, and even the corners, are equipped withreinforcements (6) and (7) in order give the seat assembly a bettershape.

Furthermore, cover (1) may also be provided with reinforcements (8) and(9) at the edges and, above all, at the corners.

Each one of the bags (3) constitutes a part of the seat, in such a waythat in the specific case of a sofa, we have one bag (3) for eacharmrest, one for the sofa backrest and another one for the seat, etc.

The sofa will be covered with an outer decorative cover (15) that can bemade of a wide variety of materials.

The bags can also be made to contain one single compartment containing afilling material, such as can be seen in FIG. 3, although the bags canalso be given different layouts and structures, such as those shown inFIGS. 5 to 8.

Therefore, the bag (3) can have an internal substructure that iscomposed of internal partitions (10) that separate differentcompartments (12), partitions that are provided with intakes (11)between the compartments so that the process of filing thesecompartments can be both as rapid and correct as possible, making surethat there are no vacuums created or empty spaces left, as well asguaranteeing that there are no variations in the density of a volumeoccupied by the same type of filling material (4).

In another embodiment it is envisaged that the compartments (12′) in thebags (3) be independent so that they can be filled up with differentmaterials, that thus have different densities, thereby making sure thatthe hardness can be different and adapted to the ergonomics of the seatand, all in all, make it more comfortable to sit in. In this embodiment,it is most often the case that each compartment (12) has its own intake(13), although it would also be possible to have one single communalintake, as long as one of the ends of the compartments (12) leads tothis communal intake (13).

In another embodiment of the structure for the bags (3) with specialshapes and/or when they lack the required rigidity, it has been plannedto incorporate independent rigid structures (14) that will evidently beinserted through the intakes (13) in the bags (3) so that they can beplaced in the volume that is taken up by the filling material (4), withthe possibility of inserting a sheeting element (16) attached to theencapsulating material surrounding the bag (3), so that this element canform part of the bag (3), thereby increasing the consistency, solidityand rigidity of the bags (3) in a positive way, thus ensuring that theseat is likewise more consistent, solid and rigid in the zones wherethese bags (3) are placed.

The cavities (2) in the flexible structural cover (1) can optionallyaccommodate blocks or pieces (17) of material that is elastomeric orsimilar, instead of the aforementioned bags (3), in order to modify thehardness, comfort of the seat, etc.

As has already been pointed out, the construction described manages tocut down greatly on the cost, volume and weight, in such a way that inthe specific case of a sofa, when a traditional sofa with a wooden frameis compared to the one that is the object of the invention, thefollowing results are obtained:

-   -   Approximately twenty-one different raw materials are used to        make a traditional sofa, whereas only about seven are used to        make a sofa in accordance with the invention, which means that        the cost of raw materials used in the latter is approximately        36% less.    -   A conventional sofa requires a construction process that        involves sixteen operating phases, whereas only eight phases are        involved in making a sofa in accordance with the invention, and        all of these phases can be automated.    -   The volume taken up (before filling) is roughly 95.7% less for        sofas that are eventually the same size, while at the same time        the reduction in weight is approximately 77% (after filling),        with the obvious advantages where storing and transporting are        concerned, plus the fact that access to many homes is difficult,        which is no longer a problem with the piece of furniture that is        the object of invention, because it is easy to dismantle.

All of this leads to optimum ergonomics and an almost limitless designpotential.

1. A seat, such as a sofa or similar, of the type that contains lightfilling material in the form of granules contained in bags in a similarway to cushions with different layouts, characterised by the fact thatit contains an outer cover (1) as a structural element, which isflexible in nature, preferably made of textile material or similar,provided with inner partitions (5) that help to enhance the structuralfunction and serve to form several compartments (2) inside the piece offurniture, each of which is provided with intakes, and occupied by therespective bags (3) containing filling material, the cover and bagsconstituting a compact assembly that can be adjusted with means forclosure that can keep the general layout of the piece of furniturestable as pressure is exerted upon it when it is being used for thepurpose for which it is intended.
 2. A seat, as in claim 1,characterised by the fact that each bag (3) has at least onecompartment, which contains the filling material (4), which can beperlite, polymers, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene or similarmaterials.
 3. A seat, as in claim 2, characterised by the fact that thebags (3) have an internal substructure composed of internal partitions(10) that separate different compartments (12) occupied by the fillingmaterial (4).
 4. A seat, as in claim 3, characterised by the fact thatthe internal substructure of the bags (3) has intakes (11) incorporatedinto the internal partitions (10), which serve to connect adjacentcompartments (12).
 5. A seat, as in claim 3, characterised by the factthat the internal partitions (10) in the bags (3) create independentcompartments (12′) so that they can be filled with different fillingmaterials with different densities.
 6. A seat, as in claim 1,characterised by the fact that it has at least one rigid body (14)incorporated into the filling material (4) a sheeting element beingpositioned in between (16); all of this being provided with a view tomaking the softened bodies formed by the bags (3) solid and to givingthem substance.
 7. A seat, as in claim 2, characterised by the fact thatthe bags (3) have at least one intake (13) leading into them, equippedwith means for closure.
 8. A seat, as in claim 3, characterised by thefact that the bags with an internal substructure are equipped with onesingle communal intake (13).
 9. A seat, as in claim 5, characterised bythe fact that the independent compartments (12′) each have intakes (13).10. A seat, as in claim 1, characterised by the fact that at least theexternal covering for bags contains a heat-sealable material; all ofthis is provided in order to give the bag its shape by joining up itsdifferent parts by heat-sealing and with the possibility of closing theintakes (13) also by heat-sealing.
 11. A seat, as in claim 10,characterised by the fact that the heat-sealable material for the bags(3) is impermeable and has micro-perforations.
 12. A seat, as in claim1, characterised by the fact that the cover split into compartments (1)is covered with a second outer cover (15) that is decorative.
 13. Aseat, as in claim 6, characterised by the fact that the sheeting element(16) that covers the rigid body (14) forms an essential part of thematerial that encapsulates the bag (3).
 14. A seat, as in claim 6,characterised by the fact that the sheeting element (16) that covers therigid body (14) has an independent body that is joined to the materialthat encapsulates the bag (3).
 15. A seat, as in claim 1, characterisedby the fact that the compartments in the structural cover (1) are filledwith or contain blocks or pieces (17) of material that is elastomeric orsimilar.